The French Revolution was a period of time in France when the people overthrew the monarchy and took control of the government. 

Introduction

Revolution!

The Estates General was the legislative body of France up until the French Revolution. There were three estates. In 1789, the King Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates General. He called the meeting because the French government was having financial problems. On June 13, 1789, the Third Estate declared itself the "National Assembly." They would begin making their own laws and running the country. 

Meeting of the Estates General

Hear us!

Tennis Court Oath

King Louis XVI did not condone the formation or the actions of the National Assembly.  The National Assembly was not to be denied, however. They met on a local tennis court. While at the tennis court the members took an oath to keep meeting until the king recognized them as a legitimate government body. 

We are the National Assembly

Storming of the Bastille

The revolution sieged against the Bastille which was mostly used as a state prison by King Louis XVI. They sieged to gain gunpowder for their muskets. And The Bastille was rumored to be full of political prisoners and was a symbol to many of the oppression of the king.

Seize the gunpowder!